Contra (NES)

Description

“Contra,” released by Konami in 1987, is a quintessential run-and-gun action game that started as an arcade game before being ported to the Nintendo Entertainment System and various computer formats including the MSX2. Known as “Probotector” and “Gryzor” in Europe and Oceania, the game has spawned several sequels, each building on its legacy.

In “Contra,” players assume the roles of Bill ‘Mad Dog’ Rizer and Lance ‘Scorpion’ Bean, two military commandos tasked with stopping the Red Falcon Organization, which threatens global security. The setting of “Contra” differs between versions: the Japanese narrative places the game in the year 2633 on the fictional ‘Galuga archipelago’ near New Zealand, while the American version describes it as a present-day mission on an unnamed South American island. Additionally, the American storyline reinterprets ‘Red Falcon’ from a terrorist group to an alien entity.

Gameplay in “Contra” is renowned for its challenging mechanics: players are equipped with a rifle with unlimited ammunition and can jump, move, and fire in eight directions. The game is unforgiving, with any hit from an enemy or bullet resulting in instant death. “Contra” includes over 10 levels with two distinctive types of stages. The standard side-view stages are complemented by “3D maze” stages where players navigate the corridors of an enemy base and “3D fixed” stages at the core of the base, requiring players to destroy critical sensors.

A significant feature of “Contra” is its two-player cooperative mode, allowing two players to share the same screen and work together. This mode demands coordination, as any discrepancy in player movement can impede progress and potentially lead to failure. Notably, the European release under the name “Gryzor” does not support simultaneous two-player action but instead uses a turn-based system where players alternate turns upon death.

“Contra” remains a landmark in gaming for its rigorous gameplay, cooperative mode, and the adaptation of its storyline and settings to cater to different regions.

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